1.1 Ordon Village Introduction
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess starts with an introduction cut-scene where Link is talking to fellow Ordonian, Rusl. During this intro Rusl talks about the twilight world and asks Link for a favor, to deliver a letter to the royal family of Hyrule. He then says that it is getting late and the two of them should head back to the village.
A bit later we get the pleasure of sitting through another cut-scene. In this one we are introduced to our best friend Iilia. She is seen walking Epona, our horse into the woods. Another man from Ordon Village, Fado, then walks up to Link’s house and yells for us to get up as he needs help herding the goats.
At this point we gain control of Link and the game begins. Link is told to bring Epona, to help herd the goats, so your only option at this point is to go to the path to the upper right of the screen.
From here just head north and enter the water filled area on your map to meet Iilia who has just washed Epona. Talking to Iilia again will reveal that you should play Epona’s theme. So pick up a piece of grass nearby and blow on it to play Epona’s theme. After doing so you can then jump on up and saddle Epona. Once doing so return in the direction of Link’s house.
1.2 Goat Herding
After returning to Link’s house with Epona you should notice that the other path is now open. Take this path which will take you into Ordon Village. You can look around and explore the village or you can just continue to head through the main quest. If you wish to continue on with the quest than ride into the southern part of the village. You should ride past the kids practicing some sword skills. You will then see the Ordon Village Mayor Bo, who is also the father of Iilia. Just continue to head to the southern part of the village and enter Ordon Ranch.
Once in the ranch speak with Fado and he will ask you to help herd the goats into his barn. In total there are 10 goats that need herded into the barn. This segment is not really that hard but it can get annoying. To get the goats into the barn simpy ride around on Epona and when you get close to a goat it will run in the direction you are heading. Pressing the A button will make Link spur on Epona and get the goats to move faster. If you follow a goat for too long it will get irritated and ram Link off of Epona. Just repeat until all 10 goats have been herded into the barn.
Once completing this task Fado will thank you and say that he will cover your work tomorrow. He will then set up fences for you to practice riding around with. Feel free to practice some. When you have finished jump over the fence and re-enter Ordon Village. You will then be asked if you would like to save the game.
1.3 Meet The Children
The next bit of the game will be a cut-scene where a group of 3 kids are yelling for Link to awaken. Control of Link will then be returned to you. Climb down the ladders and leave Link’s house.
Talk to the three children and they will introduce themselves. The smallest one is Malo, the older boy is Talo, and the girl is Beth. While talking to the kids you will find out that Talo is trying to acquire a slingshot that is for sale at the town shop.
On the side, standing by Epona, is Colin. Talk to him to find out that he wanted to bring his fishing rod with him but his father wanted to see you first. So head back to Ordon Village.
1.4 Acquire Fishing Rod and Slingshot
Once in Ordon Village run straight ahead and talk to the guy who is looking up at the beehive. He tells you that he is a bit upset as the family cat has ran away and today is the time to stock up on supply at the shop. He is wanting to get the beehive as it has bee larva which he can use in the shop. For now just ignore this.
From here just head over near the river to talk with a young woman named Uli. She is also upset as her baby cradle has gone missing.
Again ignore this for now and head back towards Link’s house and a man on a high ledge will call for Link. Climb up the vines on the side and chat with this fellow. He will point out that a cat is staring into the river and thinks it would like to catch some fish. He then mentions the nearby grass that Link can blow on.
So go ahead and jump over to the ledge with the grass and blow on it. A nearby hawk will soar over and land on your arm. By using the Wiimote Link can aim the hawk and send it flying. So go ahead and do so.
Now that we know how to control the hawk, jump over to the nearby roof and then over 2 more platforms to find more grass to blow on. Do so and this time aim the hawk at a monkey off in the distance. The hawk will fly towards the chimp and take the cradle that the monkey had. With the crate now in hand, jump down to the ground and return it to Uli.
Uli will then remember that she has something for you so follow her back to her house. Once there she will take her cradle back and give you the fishing rod that Colin had made.
Remember that cat that was looking to catch a fish? Well here is your chance to help a feline in need. Walk over to where we sat that cat earlier and use the minus button to equip the fishing rod. Cast the line into the water and once the bobber (the wooden stick) sinks underwater, pull the wiimote back to catch a fish. Hold the wiimote back until your fish is caught.
After catching your first fish you will be required to catch one more. Just repeat the process and once you have your second fish caught it will be released and fall to the ground. The cat will then run up and snatch your fish and run back to its owner in the shop.
Follow the fish into the shop and speak with Sera, the shop owner. Sera is in such a good mood that her cat has returned home that she gives Link a bottle of milk. Once the dialogue is completed you can browse her inventory. You should notice that the Slingshot costs 30 Rupees. If you have that much then go ahead and purchase the Slingshot. If not then exit the shop and just cut down some grass, break some pumpkins, and throw some rocks until you have enough cash.
Now head back towards Link’s house.
1.5 Sword Training
Upon arriving back at your house you will run into Rusl. He informs you that he broke into your house and left you something. When you go to climb the ladder back int your house you should see there is a spider, known as a Walltula, blocking your way. Equip the Slingshot and take care of this bug. Then proceed up and enter your home.
Inside your house there is now a treasure chest. Open it up to get the first sword of the game, the Wooden Sword. Your sword will automatically be equipped so do not worry about doing so.
Now exit your house and talk with the 3 kids outside. They express their excitement over your new Slingshot and will set up targets for you to practice on. Hit all 7 targets and they will then want to see your sword skills. You will go through a set of tutorial like dialogue and practice where you should learn all the skills needed for the time being.
After learning all the sword skills a monkey will appear. The kids will chase after the monkey leaving you to jump on Epona and follow after. Head the direction they went to see that Beth and Talo stayed back as Malo continued into the Faron Woods. So continue heading up and cross the bridge into the woods.
1.6 South Faron Woods
Now that you are in the woods just follow the path straight ahead and jump over the gate that is blocking the path. Take the tunnel north until you reach the forked road and take the left path. Down that path you will meet Coro, who will give you a Lantern for free. He is giving away Lanterns hoping you will return and purchase more oil from him.
The lantern is of course handy for lighting up dark places, lighting torches, and burning through spider webs.
With the lantern in your possession go ahead and turn back towards the fork in the road and take the other path this time. You will run across several new enemies at this point including the plant-like Deku Babas. Just run past these enemies and towards the tunnel. You will find Talo’s sword on the ground in front of a cave entrance. Go ahead and enter the cave.
1.7 North Faron Woods
This cave is fairly dark so you have a couple of options. You can use your lantern to light the torches throughout the cave or just work your way forward in the dark. Either way its always best to conserve lantern oil whenever possible so try not to use too much.
In this cave you will come across many monsters including deku babas, rats, and keese. All of which are easy to take out with your sword.
As you head through the cave you will reach a spider web that has to be burned down with the lantern. You will then reach a forked path again. If you take the right path it will lead you to a treasure chest with a Yellow Rupee (worth 10) inside. Taking the straight path will take you to another spider web that has to be burned through. Keep heading straight and you will reach the cave’s exit.
Exiting the cave will take you to a new part of the Faron Woods. There are some more monsters in this area, most of which can be avoided. Just ignore as many of them as you can and go to the north west and enter into another cave.
Inside this cave is 2 keese and a bokoblin. Defeat them all and open the chest to get a small key. Then use your lantern and light the two torches to reveal a large treasure chest. Climb up to teh chest and open it to get a heart piece. Collecting 5 heart pieces will give you a new heart container.
Now exit the cave.
Now that you are back outside just head north until you come across a bird who is running a shop. This shop sells Red Potions and lantern oil for 30 and 20 Rupees. Since this shop is “manned” by a bird you can steal from it but the bird will peck at you if you get close in the future.
Now head to the southeastern part of this area and you will find a gate with a lock on it. Use the key you just got to open the gate and continue in that direction.
As you continue north you will see that Malon has been captured inside a cage along with the monkey he was chasing after. Approach the cage and defeat 2 bokoblins and then slash the cage with your sword to break them free.
The two of them then head home and Talo thanks Link for his help.
Back in town Rusl approaches Link and says he heard what happened and mentions that he feels uncertain about the woods lately. For now it is time to rest as tomorrow is the big day that Link will go to Hyrule.
1.8 Enter Twilight Realm
As the next day starts, Fado reminds Link that it is time for him to get ready and says to go up to the ranch to finish his chores before leaving. So go ahead and hop on Epona and head into the ranch. Herd 20 goats and then exit b back into the village.
Upon exiting the ranch you will speak with Ilia and Mayor Bo. Ilia will notice that Epona is injured and take your horse with her to mend Epona up some. Finish the dialogue sequence and exit town and head over to the spring where you got Epona at earlier in the game.
On your way to the spring you will bump into the kids again. After a brief sequence Colin will run off towards the spring. Continue in that direction as you still need to meet Ilia there. However you will see that she has locked the gate to the spring so you cannot enter.
Colin will then help you sneak into the spring via a secret hole that he knows about on the side of the pond. Head back to the village a tad bit but turn left to see a small hole on the wall. Enter it to crawl through to the spring.
Thankfully Collin has your back and lets Ilia know that Epona’s injury was not your fault. She will then forgive you and let you have your horse back.
However, before anything can happen another cut-scene starts. A hoarde of bulbins and a King Bulbin comes storming into the spring. They knock Ilia and Link out cold and Colin and Ilia are taken away.
After coming to Link will notice that the two of them and Epona have gone missing. He will then run across the bridge to see a dark and mysterious wall in his way. As he approaches it a hand will reach through and grab him into the twilight.
Link then transforms into a wolf and is dragged away by a shadow beast.
